eCREATIVE
changing, educational stories many
people don’t like to tell. “I know that
sex is what sells,” he noted. “But when I
see how many universities request my
films - that means more to me than a
million dollars. My movies will be
archived and future generations will be
able to see my work.”
Over the past four years, Kelechi
Eke has met other filmmakers with
similar passions. He wanted to create a
way to bring other African creative
professionals together so he decided to
organize The African Film Festival
(TAFF), a 501c nonprofit organization, to
showcase the artistry of African
independent films.
Set for July 1-3, 2016 in Dallas,
Texas, USA, films from more than a
dozen African nations, including Nigeria,
Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South
Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan,
Uganda, and Egypt have been
submitted to the Festival so far. Eke
expects that number to increase before
the April 15, 2016 final submission
deadline. “My expectations have been
exceeded,” said Eke. “I’ve been very
grateful that filmmakers have
responded the way they have.”
Kenyan Benjamin Ochieng,
Nigerian Uche Jombo, and Ghanaian
Juliet Ibrahim are some of Africa’s well
known actors who will attend the July
Festival. The closing event will be held
at the Courtyard Theatre in Plano,
Texas, and Eke is securing other
theaters to showcase the films that will
be featured. He is committed to fully
financing for the Festival and hopes to
make the gathering an annual event.
Sponsorships are still available from
corporations and other organizations so
that festival winners can receive
financial awards as well as critical
recognition.
As filmmaker Kelechi Eke
watched the movie Concussion, it was
easy for him to see the similarities
between the main character, forensic
pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, and his
own life, and many other African
(Continued on page 30)
Eke created the African
Film Festival 2016 to
showcase African
independent
films.